Spruce
Mountain Lookout Tower - Wyoming

Live a little
bit of history and enjoy an incredible view in southeastern
Wyoming with an overnight stay at the Spruce Mountain Fire
Lookout Tower. Formerly used to detect fires, the live-in
tower rises 55 feet above a forested mountaintop in the
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests. The tower was renovated
and opened to the public for overnight rental in 1997. The
tower is at an elevation of 10,003 feet and visitors should
be prepared for high altitude conditions. Summertime
temperatures average 70 degrees but can drop as low as 30
degrees at night or during thunderstorms.

The Spruce
Mountain Fire Lookout Tower may be rented from mid-June to October 1st,
weather permitting. There is maximum reservation of 2 consecutive nights, no
more than 10 nights per calendar year, and no more than 3 weekends per
calendar year. A rental fee of $40.00 per night is charged for use of the
tower. Additional camping is allowed on the site, with a total of 10
occupants at the site. Saddle and pack stock are allowed at the site but
must be kept 500 feet from the tower’s base. Maid Service is not provided,
please clean the cabin before leaving.

Access
The tower is located seven miles west of Albany, Wyoming on Forest Road
#500, a well-graveled road accessible by two-wheel-drive vehicles. Hiking
and scenic driving opportunities abound nearby. The scenic Snowy Range is an
hour's drive away via State Highway 11 and State Highway 130.EQUIPMENT & FURNISHINGS PROVIDED
Propane refrigerator and propane stove with small oven
Propane heater and propane lamps
Two single beds
Four chairs and table
Hoist (pulley and rope)
Broom and dustpan
Manual for operating lights and stove
Pit toilet on the ground
Historic fire finder

THINGS TO BRING ALONG
There is no water at the tower! Please bring adequate water for drinking,
cooking, and washing.
Bedding or sleeping bags, sleeping pads or cots
Food, cooking and eating utensils
Paper towels, trash bags, matches
Warm clothing and rain gear
Toilet articles and tissue
First aid equipment, flashlight
Camera, binoculars
Insect spray/repellent, sunscreen

SAFETY RULES
Since the cab and deck are 55 feet above the ground, visitors to the cab do
so at their own risk.
Groups occupying the tower overnight are restricted to a maximum of four
persons, including at least one adult over 21.
Children under 8 years old and pets are not allowed on the tower.
Smoking, alcoholic beverages, drugs, fireworks, and firearms are not
permitted in or around the tower.
Climbing the tower structure outside of the enclosed stairs is forbidden.
Nothing is to be thrown from the tower deck.
Sleeping on the deck, sitting on the railing, horseplay, and unruly behavior
are prohibited.
Use handrail when using the stairs.
During lightning storms, stay in the cab and do not touch metal furnishings.
For security reasons, the platform hatch at the top of the stairs should be
locked to prevent entry from the stairway

Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests
The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests extend from north central Colorado
to central Wyoming. The Forests encompass portions of many mountain ranges
including the Gore Range, Flat Tops, Parks Range, Medicine Bow Mountains,
Sierra Madre, and Laramie Range. The Forests provide year-round recreation
opportunities for thousands of people. They also provide wildlife habitat,
timber, forage for livestock, and are a vital source of water for
irrigation, domestic use, and industry.

There are 10 designated Wilderness Areas on the Forest, approximately 1360
developed sites, 2 ski areas (the Steamboat Springs Ski Area has worldwide
acclaim), 162 recreational homes with Forest Service permits, and eight
mountain lakes with developed boating facilities. On the combined Medicine
Bow-Routt National Forests, downhill skiing and general winter sports are
the most popular activities, followed by mechanized travel (including
driving, OHV, boating, and bicycling), camping and developed site uses,
hunting, and then fishing.

The Thunder Basin National Grassland is located in northeastern Wyoming in
the Powder River Basin between the Big Horn Mountains and the Black Hills.
The Grassland provides unique opportunities for recreation, including
hiking, sightseeing, hunting, and fishing. There are no developed
campgrounds; however, camping is allowed. Land patterns are very complex
because of the intermingled federal, state, and private lands. The Douglas
Ranger District administers the Grassland.